Grade the Packers Draft

[Cpdaly23]

Everyone’s sleeping on Walker because of his “position”, but the reality is this guy will upgrade ILB and Safety (no need to take him off the field for Henry black).  

If Walker hits, the defense could really ascend and become elite.  It was worth the swing given the way the board fell.

[Arthur Penske]

FWIW

 

[Mazrimiv]

2 minutes ago, Arthur Penske said:

FWIW

 

A little surprising considering that Walker was overdrafted based on the pre-draft consensus.

[Arthur Penske]

Added that speed MLF talked about

 

[Mazrimiv]

I thought speed was one of the big questions on Doubs?

[DenverPackFan]

We had a much better record than the Bears last year and made 3 picks before they made their first pick.  For me, that's an "A" right there.

I don't understand the angst over giving up 2 second round picks for what is almost a first round pick.  Most agree that Watson has the potential to be elite at a position that we were borderline desperate to improve.  That's well worth giving up the 59th pick for, in my opinion.  Hardly a case of mortgaging the future.

The 2 first round picks will improve an already decent defense, the O-line picks later in the draft should provide good depth, we have very good RBs and an elite QB.  And now we have one of the most exciting WR prospects for that QB to throw to.

We've been a Super Bowl contender for the last few seasons as evidenced by 3 straight 13 win seasons that included back-to-back NFC championship appearances and a bad weather loss due to a blocked FG/TD.  This draft definitely keeps us at that level of expectation.

[Arthur Penske]

15 minutes ago, Cpdaly23 said:

Everyone’s sleeping on Walker because of his “position”, but the reality is this guy will upgrade ILB and Safety (no need to take him off the field for Henry black).  

If Walker hits, the defense could really ascend and become elite.  It was worth the swing given the way the board fell.

 Ya there’s been a lot of bitching about the linebacker position for years now. Gutey addresses it and takes the steps to try and make the position a strength with him and Campbell. I’m all for it if he was their guy.

[Leader]

Just now, Arthur Penske said:

 Ya there’s been a lot of bitching about the linebacker position for years now. Gutey addresses it and takes the steps to try and make the position a strength with him and Campbell. I’m all for it if he was their guy.

This ^

[Arthur Penske]

1 minute ago, DenverPackFan said:

We had a much better record than the Bears last year and made 3 picks before they made their first pick.  For me, that's an "A" right there.

 

While it’s great to be better than the bears, I think they could be the worst team in the division next year.

[packfanfb]

11 hours ago, beekay414 said:

In 5 years, it wouldn't shock me one bit if Watson is the #1 WR from this class. Watching him, someone explain to me why Drake London is a top 8 pick but trading up two seconds is too much for Watson? What does London do better?

It's all about projection with Watson. You just don't know because he's been playing against insurance agents in the FCS. You're hoping the traits translate and he becomes a well-rounded WR, but you just don't know because of where he played and what he was asked to do there, which wasn't much except to just outrun guys.  

[packfanfb]

11 hours ago, Sandy said:

My snap grades:

 

Walker: C+

I don't think of it as a premium position and felt the depth in the mid rounds would have been outstanding. Would have preferred Karlaftis or Hill. But if they have a plan for the type of player Walker is to be an impact player in their defense then I give the benefit of the doubt. Average selection.

 

Wyatt: A

Admittedly I wrote him off and didn't look his way for one second after hearing his age.  Now that he's been drafted I've actually taken a look and yes, he's the best d-lineman in the draft day 1, perfect for our win-now mentality.

 

Watson: D

Giving up two late second rounders in this draft for someone who was personally my 5th ranked WR on the board at the time (after Pickens, Pierce, Moore And Metchie).  The price was too steep. Really hope he proves me wrong, he certainly has the potential to do so, but I like more immediate soft skills at the position instead of a project.

 

Ryan: A-

Love the pick. Competes to start day one at LG. I liked some of the DBs on the board and felt confident I could get multiple o-linemen I liked later (and was proven right) but I have no doubt he'll quickly become one of my favorite Packers and a stud at LG. For the record, I think it will be LG and not RT because we don't want him changing positions mid-rookie year if he's starting. Jenkins returning closes the door on RT.

 

Doubs: A-

Big believer in Doubs. Again, liked some DBs on the board. Was also around the time that the last few decent EDGE dried up. But I am really excited to see him play this year.

 

Tom: A+

Probably not given huge opportunity to earn a starting job right away, but is immediately our C2 and will take over somewhere by next season. Super athletic. Frame has plenty of space to add bulk without compromising movement. I think he can be a long-term LT prospect.

 

Enagbare: B+

Initially was disappointed since I ruled him out for RAS early in the draft process...but looking at his numbers, this may be one of the areas where RAS doesn't fully line up with the actual skills Gute looks at for each position. Explosion score was huge, he plays a bit bigger than he measured at the combine, has 35 inch arms based on a source I read, study special teams skills as a true freshman...I like him to compete with Garvin for significant snaps. Terrible against the run though.

 

Carpenter: B

Finally a DB. More of a hybrid, wonder if he might get dime snaps but probably not. Remains to be seen how he fits fully in the defense but he's a prospect I had my eye on predraft.

 

Ford: B

Camp body that they want to make sure comes to their roster. Might not ever make the team, but he's a true nose tackle that should latch onto the PS as an emergency plan if Clark or Slayton get hurt.

 

Walker: A+

We lost 3 prominent olinemen from last season, and filled those roster spots nicely. I actually had a higher grade on him than Tom, thinking he'd be an option for us as early as the third. I think he absolutely makes the roster as one of our 9 olinemen on the 53. Probably starts as a reserve swing tackle. With the return of Bakh and the eventual return of Jenkins this unit is poised to be better than last year, even with the loss of one of my favorites in Turner.

 

Toure: A

Great fit. A lot more than just a camp body. I'm calling him to make the 53. Might make some noise late in the season. I did like a couple other WRs still available (Kevin Austin anyone?), and yes some DBs with special team skills were still there, but this is exactly the kind of player I had in mind around this area.

 

Overall: B

The draft from round 3 onwards was one of the best I've ever seen in my life. The trade down to pick up an extra 7th was excellent. I could see several players being starters within the next couple seasons. Some of the selections will make this the best Packers defense in at least a decade, and the best o-line since the Favre days (Clifton, Tauch, Wahle, Rivera, was the center Flannigan? Long time ago). I feel confident in the overall depth of the WR room.

Score gets dinged from an A for a few reasons.

I can deal with taking a player in a non-premium position early, but not when that position is riddled with depth. We could have gotten a LB later.

The trade up was excessive to me. Especially in a draft like this. To a division rival no less. This decision, for better or for worse, will be scrutinized heavily over the next few seasons. I understand that Watson was the top guy on Gute's board and he felt a need to move up. I get it. But I disagree with the player rankings and the value given to get him.

I would have liked to see us nab a TE, but they slipped away quicker than I thought. Same at RB, although I liked a few that ended up going undrafted (one we reportedly signed as a UDFA). I think the biggest failure was adding depth to DB, esp S.  

So yeah...the good vastly outweighs the bad. Even the parts I didn't like were at least high-potential players. And I think the last few rounds were masterful.

 

Pretty much where I'm at but I'd bump Walker up to a B and Watson to a C+ but he's by far my lowest grade given the same factors you cited. 

Packers absolutely destroyed this draft from the 3rd round on. 

Edited May 1, 2022 by packfanfb

[Old Guy]

4 minutes ago, packfanfb said:

It's all about projection with Watson. You just don't know because he's been playing against insurance agents in the FCS. You're hoping the traits translate and he becomes a well-rounded WR, but you just don't know because of where he played and what he was asked to do there, which wasn't much except to just outrun guys.  

Hey now, Jake from State Farm can ball!

[Mazrimiv]

The picks on defense could/should move that side from good to elite if they hit.

Hopefully our new ST coach along with some new faces can get things straightened out with those units.

It's up to MLF and Rodgers to make up for the loss of Adams.  Watson is an intriguing player to be sure, but he is unlikely to light up the league in his rookie year.

[St Vince]

7 minutes ago, DenverPackFan said:

don't understand the angst over giving up 2 second round picks for what is almost a first round pick

I thought I was the only one thinking that way. How did we give up two 2nd round picks if we picked in the 2nd? We essentially gave up #59th. I didn't want all these picks to begin with was hoping we'd trade back up for Woods after getting Watson.

I would've been happier with Pierce and Woods with both of those picks but knowing we still needed a receiver someone probably would've traded ahead of us to get Pierce, It was no guarantee we would have landed him at 53. I just trust Gute for getting his guy.

[Cpdaly23]

1 minute ago, St Vince said:

I thought I was the only one thinking that way. How did we give up two 2nd round picks if we picked in the 2nd? We essentially gave up #59th. I didn't want all these picks to begin with was hoping we'd trade back up for Woods after getting Watson.

I would've been happier with Pierce and Woods with both of those picks but knowing we still needed a receiver someone probably would've traded ahead of us to get Pierce, It was no guarantee we would have landed him at 53. I just trust Gute for getting his guy.

Watson’s upside is a top end #1 WR- not sure Pierce’s ceiling is more than a good #2.  I can’t blame gute for swinging for the fences given that we have a room stocked with #2 and #3’s already.